Kaffee in Berlin series: #13 FILTER

Café Name: FILTER

Address: Rosenthaler Strasse 51, 10178 Berlin

Google Maps: 

 
Transport (BVG): 
U8 (Weinmeisterstrasse)  
Tram M1 (Weinmeisterstrasse)
S5, S7, S75 (Hackescher Markt) 

Website Link: Filer-Berlin

Coffee selection: Filterkaffee

Coffee sampled: Didn't bother

Cost: €3,00 - €3,50

Extra Shot: Any shot...?

Taste: Why waste time. 

Wait-time: None. No customers.

Friendliness of Staff: Polite.

Facilities (Toilets): Yes inside.

Ambience and Seating: Very clean and aesthetically pleasing design, with a nice outdoor courtyard setting to boost enclosed by historically berlin factory brick.

Dogs allowed inside: Yes

Leitungswasser (Table water) provided: Yes, on tables.

Wifi: Yes.

Hint: There are packages offered for business to use the space for hours or days, and in the mornings a coffee and coissant for passers-by. 

General remarks:I should qualify my tone for this review, as I had not actually taken in (or noticed to be more precise) the name of this place. I actually walk past the sign on the street most days, and what led me to follow it into the courtyard was "Bonanza coffee", which I do like. But when I asked for a cappuccino and was very apologetically informed that they only serve filter coffee, I knew that this place was not for me. Equally at €3,50 for filter coffee (I have great disdain for this trend) I'm afraid my own Bialetti Moka Espresso was beckoning me. Everything else had the potential for a great place, but filter coffee.... no.

Score: 3,5 / 10

Care of www.filterkaffee.berlin

 

Sophie-Gips-Höfe / Gestalten Space

SOPHIE-GIPS-HÖFE / GESTALTEN SPACE

Between the streets of Sophienstrasse and Gipsstrasse in Mitte behind Hackeschermarkt lies one of the most peaceful and interesting spaces in Berlin. While many flock to the courtyards (Höfe) at Hackeschermarkt, this subtle gem known as either Sophie-Gips-Höfe or Gestalten Space is well worth the look in for numerous reasons.

Care of www.berlin.de

Care of Google Maps

First of all, the actual address is Sophienstrasse 21, and while there are two entrances, this is the easiest to find first, as it is directly opposite the back corner of the Sophienkirche and next to a musical instrument shop. Google map directions here. In the late 19th century it was a sewing machine factory, later becoming a bicycle chain factory and other shops. 

There are three courtyards between the two streets, each with a distinct artistic flavour, though subtle and refined. According to the official page of Berlin.de and the plaque on-site, the entire property was purchased by the family Hoffmann in 1995, who ensured that the thoroughfare would be opened up to the public and would patronise the light installations, garden works and artwork. The property was subsequently converted into individual apartments and lofts.

First Hof covered with Ivy (C) MJT

Antonyms Artwork (C) MJT

The first Hof from Sophienstrasse entrance is not unlike that of a normal Berlin Alt-bau (old-building/historical) except for the list of antonyms running down the wall from the top storey in clear simple typography, made intimate by the remaining walls covered in ivy. On closer inspection of the buzzers, one notices that many local business such as Ampelmann have their offices in the building.

Middle Hof with Loft Apartments (C) MJT

Gestalten Publishing (C) MJT

The second and middle Hof is by far the busiest, with Café/Deli Barcomi's filling out the courtyard with tables and chairs for coffee and lunch patrons, while the shop opposite - "Gestalten" is a homewares and bookstore, exclusively of the books that they themselves publish. The space at the back of the shop also changes regularly to accommodate artistic projects.

Recent "gestalten" purchases (C) MJT / franklovesellen

Third Hof (closest to Gipsstrasse) (C) MJT

Finally the third Hof is again subtle and is more open than the other two, and again features some writing on the top walls and what seems so simple yet brilliant, a geometrical designed lawn, that adds a subtle touch to an otherwise lawned area.

Simple yet effective (C) MJT

Peaceful space (C) MJT

I will write shortly about the café Barcomi's, as it makes a visit to the Sophien-Gips-Höfe well worth the effort. Plus there are so many boutique shops and locally made and designed products, that the area is extremely vibrant.

E & #Nikolaithehusky (C) MJT

Other entrance at Gipsstrasse (C) MJT

We love finding new spaces and investigating the Hofs of Mitte. Do you like it too Nikolai?

#nikolaithehusky (C) MJT

 

Kaffee in Berlin series: #2 The Barn

THE BARN (ORIGINAL)

Situated in the backstreets behind Hackescher Markt in the trendy streets of Koppenplatz and Auguststrasse is the original Barn.
(Directions here) 

Care of http://barn.bigcartel.com

I say the original Barn, because they opened a larger roasting plus tasting shop on Schönhauser Allee, however I deliberately recommend the original.

Care of http://barn.bigcartel.com - Photographer not legible

Only a very small shop, which unfortunately does not allow dogs or prams inside, the footpath accommodates a surprisingly decent number of customers on any given day - however if the sun is shining (a rarity as it is in Berlin), it makes for a very pleasant coffee stop. 

(C) Franklovesellen

A small selection of fresh cakes, biscuits and small lunches are available (at the newer Barn they even make Australian ANZAC Biscuits!!) and as for the coffee, it is very Melbourne style - full flavour but not too strong. 

(C) Franklovesellen

While there are tradition Espresso, Cappucino, etc - my recommendation is for the Cortado - similar to a Melbourne-style Caffee Latte but served in a different glass and slightly smaller. But for €2,20 is stronger than the cappuccino (less milk) and cheaper. 

(C) MJT

(C) MJT

In summary, the Barn comes in at a very high recommendation:
Coffee: ★★★★
Service: ★★★★
Recommended Drink: Cortado
Price: €2,20

(c) Franklovesellen